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Miro Heiskanen

Entry Draft Notes: Avalanche, Stars, Flyers

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The Colorado Avalanche seem to be at least entertaining the possibility of moving down in the draft. According to Mike Chambers of the Denver Post, the team is split internally over whether to select the best player available or to draft a dynamic defenseman, which is their biggest organizational need at the moment. Finding the proper balance between these two philosophies is always difficult, and ultimately, the scouts are the ones who need to believe in a particular player. It is interesting to note that Chambers doesn’t see defender Cale Makar being taken that early in the draft, and that the Avalanche might be “stuck” selecting another forward. Makar actually got votes for the top pick from one of TSN’s analysts, and there are many who believe he will hop into the top-5. Bob McKenzie actually had him slotted in at that #4 spot, so it’s a bit difficult to determine what the Avalanche are thinking here.

If the organization did decide to trade to a lower pick, as director of amateur scouting Alan Hepple says is “a scenario…that they’re ready for”, it would likely include a piece that will provide more immediate help for the team. After a 48 point season, that could mean plugging a hole at practically any position. It’s a lot to consider, especially in light of the Matt Duchene trade rumors which haven’t stopped swirling since they began halfway through the season. This article will only keep more eyes peeled on the team from Denver headed into Friday’s draft.

  • The Flyers don’t seem to have the blinders on regarding their #2 selection, according to Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer.  They are spending most of their time and energy focusing on the later rounds. This makes sense for any team with a top selection, but especially for Philadelphia who will almost certainly draft whichever of Nolan Patrick and Nico Hischier remains. The team is heavily invested in looking to load up on offensive talent, and with 11 picks in this year’s draft, they’ve set themselves up very well. One of the major criticisms for the team in recent drafting has been the over-emphasis on physicality and intangibles, while ignoring more dynamic offensive players. We’ll see if they can avoid that pitfall this weekend.
  • The Stars look to be leaning away from the big Windsor forward Gabriel Vilardi, according to Sean Shapiro of NHL.com. He also speculates that Dallas is particularly high on the aforementioned Makar and HIFK’s shifty Miro Heiskanen. They look to be focusing on defense for another draft, and with their top-end offense it’s no wonder why. They just exposed Cody Eakin to Vegas because of their glut of center-men, and even though Vilardi is an exceptional, versatile forward – he’s not a need. Both Makar and Heiskanen were ranked in the top-5 final rankings by McKenzie, so it’s difficult to see Dallas moving from their #3 position.

Nolan Patrick, Nico Hischier To Take Part In All Combine Testing

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Just yesterday our Zach Leach provided a comprehensive breakdown on the NHL Scouting Combine and the effect it may have on players draft stock. Especially in a year that there is no consensus throughout the first round, the performance in the physical tests and team interviews may have a big impact on how the draft shakes out. Details are already leaking out about how many interviews certain players have, like Eeli Tolvanen who has an amazing 28 meetings scheduled according to Mike Morreale of NHL.com. Also from Morreale, the exciting news that Nolan Patrick and Nico Hischier will both take part in all the physical testing, provided that Patrick is medically cleared.

Patrick and Hischier are both still in real competition for the first-overall pick, even as New Jersey takes calls on a possible trade. While there is no indication that Ray Shero and the Devils will deal the selection, the top two players will take 13 and 14 interviews respectively, way more than usual for the top of the draft. That does lend some credence to the idea that they might be available, and also to the idea that Miro Heiskanen or someone else could be a draft-day surprise and find his way into the top 2.

We already know that the Stars are considering moving the third-overall pick, and with Heiskanen putting on a late push to be considered among the top players perhaps some think Hischier or Patrick will fall to third. For what it’s worth, Grant McCagg of Recrutes.ca now has Heiskanen as his top available player. While it would be a huge draft-day surprise to see Heiskanen go first (or Patrick fall out of the top two), the intrigue continues to build. The players will undergo the fitness testing on Saturday, June 3rd after a week full of interviews with teams. It’s busy for teams too, as Pierre LeBrun of TSN reports that Peter Chiarelli and the Oilers front office spoke with 20 players just today.

Dallas Stars Have Had Discussions On Moving Third-Overall Pick

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According to Sean Shapiro of NHL.com, Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill was speaking on NHL Network radio this morning about the possibility of moving the third-overall pick. Nill admitted to having discussions about it, mostly because of the wide variety of players who could be of interest to teams at #3. While Nolan Patrick and Nico Hischier are widely expected to go 1-2 in some order, there are “about 10 players” who could be selected next.

Gabe Vilardi, Miro Heiskanen, Cale Makar, Cody Glass, Casey Mittelstadt and several others have been rumored to possibly go in that spot, not even counting Timothy Liljegren who has fallen far from his one time #2 ranking in the draft. Teams may need to move up to make sure they get the player they want, and #3 might be the chance to do it.

Dallas could use more NHL talent immediately, and without a consensus could still add a player they really like further down the draft. Should someone offer a player who can help them right away, plus a pick somewhere still in the top-10 they may be swayed to move down.

Nill also spoke about the expansion draft and how the Stars will need to expose a few players they’d rather not. He’s had talks with other teams about those players, hoping to get something for them instead of watching them walk over to the Vegas dressing room. As we discussed yesterday, the Stars have a huge number of young bodies on defense for next season, and won’t be able to protect all of them.

Even if the fan base wouldn’t be heartbroken by a selected Jamie Oleksiak, losing a former first round pick for nothing doesn’t make any sense for the team. With potentially only three protection slots—should the team go with the 7-3-1 method—the Stars won’t be able to keep all of their 25-and-under defensemen. Perhaps making a deal with Vegas, as Nill suggests, is the best way to make sure they pick the one you’d have the easiest time replacing.

Dallas Stars Upcoming Defensive Decisions

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When the Dallas Stars fell apart this season, ending with thirty fewer regular season points than the year prior and missing the playoffs by a wide margin, many pointed to their goaltending and to a lesser extent their defense. Why shouldn’t they, after the Stars watched Jason Demers, Alex Goligoski and Kris Russell all leave in one summer only to see the team bring in a 33-year old Dan Hamhuis as a replacement. The team had posted a league-worst .893 save percentage, and just 133 points from their defense in comparison to 174 the year before.

Many fans went into this offseason pleading with management to acquire some better defenders, even pondering a Kevin Shattenkirk or Karl Alzner—likely the two most sought-after defensemen in free agency—appearance in Texas. But, when looking at their roster for next season is there really room for an addition outside of a big-name? "<strong

Going into next season, the Stars have three defensemen who are absolute locks to make the club. Hamhuis, John Klingberg and Esa Lindell will all surely figure into the group in some fashion, even if the former is on the last legs of his career. After those three, the Stars actually have several internal options that may not be any worse than what they could find in free agency. Jamie Oleksiak hasn’t lived up to his high draft position, but still should be considered to have potential given his size and flashes of successful play. Patrik Nemeth and Stephen Johns both have shown the ability to contribute at the NHL level, though in what role they are best suited in is still undecided. Greg Pateryn, part of the return for Jordie Benn at the trade deadline has shown his ability as a shot-suppressor and is easily an NHL-caliber defender.

Then there is Julius Honka, who today was written about by Aaron Vickers of NHL.com while he skates in the World Championships. Honka is certainly deserved of a look at the NHL level next season after his outstanding AHL performance and promising 16-game tryout with Dallas. The 21-year old is playing for Finland, and as Vickers writes has been compared favorably to Klingberg by multiple Dallas players, including Klingberg himself. For three straight years he’s shown he can dominate the AHL, so why not give him a chance to adapt to the higher league.

That also doesn’t even consider the fact that the team may go with Miro Heiskanen at #3 in next month’s draft. While Heiskanen is expected to need some seasoning, perhaps the team feels as though he’s ready for the NHL right away and brings him in to compete with the rest of their young group. It wouldn’t be the first time a high draft pick exceeded expectations in his first training camp.

The Stars have more than enough bodies on the back end to make up a defense corps, meaning that if they really want to improve it would likely come through trade instead of free agency. Bringing in more mid-pairing types to compete just doesn’t make sense without moving some of the names listed above out. More likely, with the addition of Ben Bishop in net the team will try to build a group out of what it has and perhaps swing a trade for a single name. As even this group may be good enough to get them back to the playoffs with a shift in goaltending.

Western Notes: Mazanec, Schmaltz, Draft Rankings

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The Nashville Predators have recalled Marek Mazanec from the Milwaukee Admirals, and will keep him around as an emergency goaltender. The Admirals were eliminated from the AHL playoffs last night, losing 3-2 in overtime to the Grand Rapids Griffins. In a three game series sweep, the Griffins put 10 goals past Mazanec on 106 shots. He’ll practice with the team as a “Black Ace” for the remainder of the playoffs.

Nashville didn’t make any further call ups which is interesting after the news that Kevin Fiala will not be able to return these playoffs. Perhaps Craig Smith or Calle Jarnkrok, who both missed game one after being present in the morning skate will return in time for the next matchup on Friday night.

  • The St. Louis Blues have recalled Jordan Schmaltz from the AHL and returned Petteri Lindbohm. Because they are only allowed three rotating callups, they’ll use Schmaltz as their defensive insurance until his next playoff series starts on May 3rd. The Chicago Wolves defeated the Charlotte Checkers in five games, but are still waiting on the other series’—some of which have played just two games—to finish around the league before moving on to face those Griffins that defeated the Admirals. Schmaltz will likely be sent back down, unless an injury were to strike one of the Blues’ defenders.
  • Bob McKenzie and TSN have released their latest draft rankings, which will be their second-last attempt at figuring out which amateur player is regarded highest around the league. The ranking still has Nolan Patrick at #1, though it is basically a tie between he and Nico Hischier. The team at TSN had to survey 23 different teams to break the deadlock, when they normally just use 10. Patrick and Hischier are followed by Gabe Vilardi from Windsor, and the late rising Miro Heiskanen, who has forced himself into the conversation for the top three. With the top four lottery teams all being from the Western Conference there is a great chance the first pick (and perhaps the second, third and fourth) will belong to one of them.

Prospect Snapshots: Vesalainen, Kopacka, Nosek

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Finland’s Kristian Vesalainen was named the MVP of the 2017 U18 IIHF Ice Hockey World Champions today despite the team’s 4-2 loss to Team USA in the gold medal game today . The 17-year-old forward is considered to be a first-round target in the upcoming 2017 NHL Draft and his stock could be rising after he scored six goals and 13 points in the tournament. NHL.com has him rated the seventh-ranked European skater in the draft.

Versalainen was also named the Best Forward in the Directorate Awards along with fellow countryman Miro Heiskanen for Best Defenseman and Russia’s Maxim Zhukov as the Best Goaltender. The United States had three players voted to the Media All-Star team, including goalie lan St. Cyr, defenseman Maxwell Gidon and forward Sean Dhooghe. Vesalainen, Heiskanen and Russian forward Ivan Chekhovich rounded out the voting.

  • The Anaheim Ducks announced they have signed 2016 fourth-round pick Jack Kopacka to a three-year entry-level contract today. The 19-year-old wing led his team, the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League with 30 goals this year. He also added 19 assists for 49 points. The 93rd overall pick in this past draft finished with 50 goals in two plus seasons with his OHL team. Kopacka is the second player from his team to sign an NHL deal today as Tampa Bay signed his teammate Boris Katchouk earlier today.
  • Detroit Red Wings Tomas Nosek continues his success in the AHL this year and, according to Detroit Free Press’ Helene St. James, is beginning to show that he belongs in the Red Wings lineup next season. The 24-year-old forward scored the overtime goal in the Grand Rapids Griffins Game 1 playoff series against the Milwaukee Admirals and has taken his game up a level from a year ago. Nosek played 11 games for the Red Wings this season, scoring one goal, but since this is his third season in the AHL, he will no longer by waiver exempt, so Detroit may have to look at him more closely.

Latest On Timothy Liljegren’s Draft Status

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It’s been an interesting season for eligible prospects for the 2017 Entry Draft. Nolan Patrick has suffered through injury, Nico Hischier has shot up boards, and the entire defense group has been mixed up. This time last year, Timothy Liljegren was the easy pick for #2 in the draft behind Patrick, but now, as Corey Pronman of ESPN points out, Liljegren may not even be in the top-2 defenseman, let alone the whole draft. Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News has heard the same thing, while Grant McCagg of Recrutes has had him outside the top-10 for a while now.

Liljegren has battled through a bout with mononucleosis, and struggled to get playing time at the top level with Rogle, his Swedish club. He’s now dropping down draft boards, including even the NHL’s Central Scouting rankings, which had him sixth in their final rankings among European skaters. He now has a chance to go below both Cale Makar and Miro Heiskanen among defenders, and fall somewhere into the middle of round one. That does not by any means make him a poor prospect, in fact the very opposite—whichever team that drafts him will still be getting a top talent, but at a reduced price.

Back in November of 2015, TSN’s Director of Scouting Craig Button compared Liljegren to Drew Doughty, saying that he also had a bit of “Erik Karlsson offensive flair sprinkled in.” While draft comparables tend to be a bit hyperbolic in nature—he’ll almost assuredly not reach the heights of either Doughty or Karlsson—the Swedish defender does still possess the excellent skating ability and vision on the ice that made him so projectable prior to this season.

Heiskanen and Makar however have just been much more consistent with their development this season, and could both go in the top-5 come June. Makar—who has also drawn comparison’s to the Ottawa captain—has already committed to UMass Amherst, where he’ll be developed by a former Karlsson coach in Greg Carvel. Heiskanen meanwhile will likely continue to play in the Finnish professional league, where he found success this season. The 17-year old left-handed shot is currently dominating the U18 Worlds, scoring eight points in four tournament games thus far, including a dominating effort against Canada yesterday.

Should a team miss out on those two, Liljegren is one of the best consolation prizes you can ask for. In a draft that has no real consensus from picks 5-15, there should be some action on the floor between GMs looking to get their top target. Perhaps we’ll see more trading than the last few years, especially if players like Liljegren continue to fall.

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